Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industry

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Excerpts

Wednesday 19th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

I thank the right reverend Prelate for that question. We are investing in trying to produce as much green hydrogen as we possibly can. It is a key area of hydrogen production, and we want to ensure that everything that we do is going to be carbon-neutral. Obviously, that is the kind of hydrogen that we want to produce.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Earl Russell (LD)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

I thank the noble Earl for that question as well. Obviously, we will publish the strategy when we are ready to do so, and we want to press ahead with that. We want to make sure that the money we spend on investment takes the industry in the right direction. We are offering surety, first, by looking at the strategy and, secondly, by meeting the industry next week and by taking this issue seriously with all the investments that we are making at the moment.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, building on the Government’s recently published carbon budget growth delivery plan, what further measures are the Government currently taking to support the growth of domestic hydrogen supply chains to reduce the UK’s reliance on imports of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies?

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for that question. Obviously, homegrown hydrogen is the way forward. The Government are considering expanding the clean industry bonus to hydrogen and will consult on proposals and publish the hydrogen strategy in the future. The UK is well placed to develop a thriving hydrogen technology, with the £1 billion Great British Energy supply fund and the £5.8 billion National Wealth Fund. We want to establish the first hydrogen network by 2031 with £500 million of government support. We are doing everything we can to make sure that this industry flourishes.